Don't You Cry for Me

Written for my late cousin, Mary Root, who faced her death with great courage and a desire to move on!

DON'T YOU CRY FOR ME

 

I raised my head, from my death-bed,

Though I could but barely see;

They had taken my specs away;

     I swiped away the tears, you had shed;

     Oh, Hon, don't you cry for me;

     All men are ordained to pass this way;

This is a time for me to move on

And you must release me to another place;

Wish me well, in the world where I'm going;

     My love for you will never be gone

     And you have memories of my face;

     What I've reaped, I will be sowing;

I will take a piece of you with me,

'Cause your love is branded upon my soul;

It's time to wipe my earthly slate clean

     And become what I shall, now, be;

     Don't linger long 'round my coffin's hole;

     Let's just pray, my new existence is serene.

 

Author's Note

We, all, love you and miss you, Mary; I know your new existence is serene.

Reviews

[Mike Espinosa]

This is interesting. Your emotion rang through very well. I don't understand the indents though. Was it just to separate the 3 line stanzas? At first, I thought it was a conversation, and was confused, but I quickly realized it was not. Other than that, this is a great piece. Very compelling.

[Dom Macchiaroli]

Great piece Chris. Full of hope for what comes after. Well done.

[An owl on the moon]

Powerful imagery that is filled with that sense of hope and courage in the face of such loss. You have given us a rich glimpse of one who can inspire us all!

[Susie Q]

It would be nice if each of us could face our passing to another place this way but we know it can't be. Each one of us has different thoughts on this subject. It was nice how you could express your feelings & hers.

[Ruth]

This is wonderful, great poem that moves love xx

[deeps]

This is amazing write here.
I enjoyed reading this one.

[Devons]

A tender and realistic perspective of passing existence. Strange how many dwell upon the reflection of their own meaning to others' lives through those others' pain at your passing. All that is ever left is a memory. I think the philosophical is easily summoned when at a point of no return. Impossible for those who are helpless to change it, being left behind, to ever really see it in this way. It is consolation, perhaps, but no cure.
A nice thought, and nicely put. I was particularly interested by the way in which this poem was shaped. Good work.

[Nirmala]

It is such a positive way for anyone to see death and you have expressed it well. However, i found l the picture irrelevant to the context. May I humbly suggest that the sentence would be better as
What I have sown, is what I shall reap
I love the line
'Cause your love is branded upon my soul;

What is powerful in the piece is the courage and attitude of the person dying and the most striking part is that the dying is giving strength to the living! Good verse!

[Tina Kline]

I hope passing is just like this too, not some really awful horrible experience. I think you did a really good job on this.

[Crowley]

I hope its just like that...beautiful.